A ripple of disquiet traveled through the chamber.
“And success?” Lily asked the question probably in the forefront of every being’s mind.
Lamira went quiet once more.
The tension in the room grew palpable the longer his mate remained silent. Finally, she said, “The chance for success is there.”
“And the chance for failure?” Lium asked.
Lamira bowed her head. “Also there. But more energy for success.”
He’d hoped for more practical information from Lamira, but she had no control over her visions. All he could do was include her and accept whatever nuggets she handed him. She’d been the one to see that the rough and tumble smuggler Rok would be the Zandian who trained and led his army, and she’d been right.
“When do we strike, my lord?” Lundric asked.
“We move into place after nightfall tomorrow. We’ll strike the following planet rotation.” He stood, indicating the meeting had ended.
Every being surged to their feet, bowing to him before they exited.
Lamira stayed back, plucking a few dead leaves from the fruit tree she’d planted in a pot in the corner.
The underlying sense of dread at leaving Lamira and his tiny son unguarded mounted. “I should send you away,” he said. “I’ll seek diplomatic sanctuary for you and little Zander at the United Galaxies.”
Lamira shook her head. “I will be needed here as well. This isn’t the time to hold back any resource. If you want Zandia we go all in. Every being, every risk. That’s what it will take.”
The cold dread swam through him. “You’ve seen this?”
She nodded. “It’s the only path to success.”
He closed his eyes against the blinding pain produced when he thought of losing one of them. “Zandia means nothing to me without my family.”
Lamira stepped closer and put a hand on his chest. “We’ll be there. Win it for us, my lord. Give your son his birthright.”
He caught her nape and melded his mouth over hers, claiming her with his lips, his tongue, his teeth.
“I love you,” he murmured.
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Don’t.” She pushed his chest.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t kiss me like it’s goodbye. Go and win Zandia for us.”
He forced a smile and leaned his forehead against hers. “I will. Zandian promise.”
Paal stood outside his chamber, not quite ready to enter. He never should have taken on the guardianship of the female in the first place. Keeping her locked in his chamber wasn’t a solution to his dilemma of not trusting her but not wanting to give her to another.
If only Lady Mina had taken guardianship of her! Then the searing jealousy that rose everytime he imagined her in the care of another male wouldn’t be an issue.
His fingers twitched over the hand panel that scanned his palm. He’d had more food sent to Leti at sunset, but he should let her out now. He couldn’t lock her up forever. What would he tell Lady Mina?
He needed to make a decision—keep her or let her go.
With a grumble, he pressed his palm to the panel and braced himself as the door slid open. He expected to find Leti naked again, or in some form of seduction. Instead, she surprised him by darting past him without a glance.
He snatched her arm and when she whirled back, he saw the fire in her eyes that he so loved. Immediately, every cell in his body fired.
Claim. Conquer.